West Ham are reportedly keen on signing Liverpool defender Nat Phillips as cover for Kurt Zouma, who will be out of action for up to 12 weeks with a hamstring injury.
According to the Evening Standard, a centre-back is David Moyes number one priority in the January transfer window. Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna are both out with long-term injuries. And the Liverpool talent has been identified as an option for the Irons.
The 24-year-old has hardly played this season. However, Phillips was given a rare start last night in the UEFA Champions League, with the defender impressing against AC Milan at the San Siro.
Phillips was available last summer for a reported fee of £12m according to the Athletic. Yet despite this cheap transfer fee, the defender stayed at Anfield, where minutes have been very hard to come by.
Indeed, with Phillips Liverpool’s fifth-choice centre-back, it is likely that the defender will be on the move in January, and there will no doubt be plenty of suitors for the Bolton-born player, with Jurgen Klopp a huge fan of the defender.
The Liverpool boss told the club’s official website last night on Phillip’s performance: “I have to say that Nat Phillips and Ibou (Ibrahima) Konate played an exceptional game, an absolutely exceptional game. How they defended that tonight is outstanding and I am really, really proud of the boys.”
Phillips is perfect to replace Zouma for West Ham
The Hammers have a big issue at the back that needs addressing in January. Zouma and Ogbonna have been key for Moyes’ with West Ham in 2021, and replacing either will be a tough task for the Scotsman, yet Phillips would be a perfect player to take on the challenge.
The defender has impressed for Liverpool this year, with Phillips coming leaps and bounds under Klopp. And with the club open to selling the 24-year-old for just £12m, West Ham can land themselves a bargain talent in the winter who can become a part of the club’s furniture for years to come.
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